Introduction
The woman clothed with the sun, and in travail, Revelation 12:1 , Revelation 12:2 . The great red dragon waiting to devour the child as soon as born, Revelation 12:3 , Revelation 12:4 . The woman is delivered of a son, who is caught up unto God; and she flees to the wilderness, Revelation 12:5 , Revelation 12:6 . The war in heaven between Michael and the dragon, Revelation 12:7 , Revelation 12:8 . The dragon and his angels are overcome and cast down to the earth; whereupon the whole heavenly host give glory to God, Revelation 12:9-11 . The dragon, full of wrath at his defeat, persecutes the woman, Revelation 12:12 , Revelation 12:13 . She flees to the wilderness, whither he attempts to pursue her; and he makes war with her seed, Revelation 12:14-17 .
Before I introduce the comment mentioned at the close of the preceding chapter, I think it necessary to state that the phraseology of the whole chapter is peculiarly rabbinical, and shall insert a few selections which may serve to illustrate some of the principal figures.
In Sohar Exod., fol. 47, col. 187, we find a mystical interpretation of Exodus 21:22 ; : If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart - he shall be surely punished, as the woman's husband will lay upon him. "If men strive, i.e. Michael and Samael, and hurt a woman with child, i.e. the Israelitish Church, so that her fruit depart, hoc fit in exilio , he shall surely be punished, i.e., Samael. As the woman's husband, that is, the holy and blessed God."
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